Official quits after remarks on FARC

Costa Rica’s security minister resigned after alleging this month that unnamed local politicians could have ties to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Fernando Berrocal stepped down a day before he was to testify before Congress about statements he made after $500,000 in cash was found in a retired professor’s home.

Lawmakers had bristled at Berrocal’s assertion that computer files seized during a recent Colombian military raid on a FARC camp led police to the money and suggested ties between the guerrillas and Costa Rican contacts, including politicians. They were expected to press Berrocal for names during today’s session.

Berrocal said President Oscar Arias did not pressure him to quit.